The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced an extension to the application deadline for Stages 1 and 2 of the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP) to September 30, 2026, giving farmers more time to apply for assistance tied to 2023 and 2024 crop losses. The USDA is also easing documentation requirements for quality-related losses, now accepting verifiable third-party records, such as grading factors or nutrient test results, along with added flexibility for crops sold for a final use different from the originally intended one.

Below is more information on the SDRP updates, and farmers can use this handy quality loss calculator from the USDA to help determine a quality loss percentage.

Required Documentation for SDRP Quality Losses

  • Farmers need third-party verifiable records, such as grading factors or nutrient tests, dated within 30 days of harvest to support quality loss claims.
  • Documentation from one producer can count as verifiable for others with similar records, a plus for co-ops and vertically integrated operations handling multiple growers.

Flexibility for Quality-Related Discounts

  • Crops originally intended for fresh use but sold as processed, or crops that couldn’t reach a recognized market, now qualify for adjusted quality loss calculations.
  • Farmers will still need to provide acceptable production records showing actual output and the price they received.

Stage 1 Quality Loss Applications with Missing Production Data

  • Some Stage 1 applications didn’t generate because pre-quality adjusted production data wasn’t available. Farmers should still file by September 30.
  • The FSA will follow up once missing data comes in, giving producers time to review and re-sign their applications.

Read the full USDA release here and reach out to your local ProAg independent agent with any questions.